07 Dec 2011 16 Comments
How Does a Beauty Blogger Pick a Purse?
When it comes to purses, the bigger the better has been my motto lately. I seem to judge purses based on how much I can stuff into them, including the many lipsticks I carry around every week. Joking….a bit…My two latest acquisitions can indeed fit a lot of lipsticks: a grey/taupe from Nine West and the other from Canadian company, Nella Bella.
I’m pretty pumped about Nella Bella. I met Tarek Al-Azbat, Creative Director and Head Designer of Nella Bella last week at the High Road Communications holiday party via a mutual friend, Kimberly Lyn of the Souls of My Shoes. Tarek told us about his sample sale the next day, and thanks to my friend Simone, I snagged myself this bag for $30!! Sorry that was a long-winded explanation but this discovery has been uber exciting. It’s probably a good thing I couldn’t go to the sale myself otherwise I would have picked up way more purses. I have looked over the Nella Bella site and already have four bags I have my eyes on. Eeek.
Back to the bag itself. What I love about this bag is that I can fit everything from my laptop to my day timer to the stuff a mama like my lugs around for my kids. The best part? It’s not black! I gravitate towards black all the time and Kimberly gave me great advice: “you can always get a black bag, get the cream.” I love the cream. So fantastic in the winter!
Next is my Nine West bag. It’s a hobo style and I fell in love with the zippers on the side. I adore this colour, and anytime I see any variation of it, I’m sold.
I can fit tonnes in it and I love how there are lots of pockets inside to fit phones, *ahem* lipsticks, and other gear such as my son’s winter hat pictured here. I got this bag on sale — it was marked down already to $82 but there was an additional 25% off. Score!
Overall I love my new bags! Are you as purse-obsessed as me?
Dec 07, 2011 @ 20:32:39
Love bags, but as I am so picky, its hard to buy them >_< I go by size being slightly larger than 8.5×11, as I tend to carry folders with me, and don't want them being folded up inside the bag. Then it would be that it expands enough to fit my thick wallet, somewhat thick makeup bag, and yet the straps will be able to handle the weight. Otherwise I ditch it. No matter how nice it is, if it can't sustain that weight, then its gonna crack the material, and will be useless before you know it.
Anyway the cream bag is nice! Very nice score for $30!
Dec 07, 2011 @ 21:10:48
I have been trying to find the perfect bag for months now. I like pockets and zippers on the outside and can’t find anything I like.
These look great! Just no pockets. Sigh.
Dec 07, 2011 @ 21:35:44
Yay Michelle! I’m so glad my suggestion helped and that you love your new Nella Bella bag. Can’t wait to see you styling with your new bag!
Dec 07, 2011 @ 21:59:42
I absolutely adore bags. Perhaps more than lipsticks (eeks! sacrilege!) I’ve learnt that big bags tend to throw out my back and shoulder too much so these days I go for something more medium sized but definitely something roomy
Your bag looks very lovely – I love the colour and for that price? Nothing to complain about 
Dec 07, 2011 @ 22:04:53
I’m so in love with Nella Bella bags. I too am a fan of large bags. You can never have too much with you at one time. I’m ready to add a few more to my collection.
Dec 07, 2011 @ 22:17:42
Yes, I am a total bag lady
I love both of these very much. The neutral colors are perfect and will go with everything!
Dec 08, 2011 @ 00:02:37
Love your bags. I just got the new Coach Poppy liquid gloss tote. Which is totally not THAT big, it is medium sized in my eyes but my husband claims it is “big enough to double as a weapon”! I never wear black, my new bag is navy
Dec 08, 2011 @ 04:27:02
Yep! My Hubs calls my Mulberry Mitzy Cross Body “The Bucket” lol
Dec 08, 2011 @ 07:03:58
Pockets. I need pockets. I refuse to carry a drab diaper bag so my purse is a girl’s must-haves + baby gear carrier. Super excited about my most recent find. *Still* needing to do a “what’s in my bag” for the whole thing. Most amazing thing about it? It’s not black, it’s bronze
Dec 08, 2011 @ 09:05:56
That white bag is amazing!
Dec 08, 2011 @ 10:37:53
Jealous of the sample sale! I got a large MK bag this spring in beige suede; turns out I can’t keep beige suede clean…so not practical must go to the dry cleaner for help!
Dec 08, 2011 @ 12:18:34
I Love the Nella Bella Bags!!!!! regular prices for the bags they offer is also reasonable! I do like the colors/textures and the variety of sizes are helpful.
I already own 4 Nella Bella bags and love them all!
I think your link http://www.nellabella.com is wrong it should be http://www.nella-bella.com
Dec 08, 2011 @ 12:53:21
Nella Bella is so affordable, love your Nine West bag. Neutrals in winter is such a great look. Bags are such a weakness!
I gravitate towards black myself (my Marc Jacobs Q Fran is an amazing everyday bag) and find I reach for my Longchamp Pliage shopping tote a lot too as it just fits everything (wish it had compartments though).
Dec 08, 2011 @ 13:30:47
I love big bags, and your new ones are so pretty! Unfortunately my shoulders hate large bags so I’ve had to give up my love for big bags
Dec 09, 2011 @ 08:34:31
I was.. then I realised I should stop buying them (and consequently ended up hoarding other things.. aka eyelashes XD) – I have a MASSIVE bag atm, but it’s a bit too big so I can never find the thing I want without ripping the whole thing open .. lol. Love your bags!
Dec 13, 2011 @ 15:02:18
Hi lady! Popped on to say hi, then discovered you’re on a bag bender too!
I, like you, am obsessed with bags large enough to embrace my laptop, its accoutrements, and an absurdly large stash of lipsticks, lip gloss, lip balm and other makeup items, plus pens, notebook, phone — sheesh. I have a hard time finding big bags that help to keep things organized, though. I like the look of your Nella Bella, particularly the pretty interior that isn’t a deep black hole. Your Nine West is pretty, too. I am, however, in a long-distance relationship with a Lo & Sons OG Travel Bag (http://bit.ly/vPbq9b) that isn’t yet available to Canadians directly from the website (waaah). Have you seen it? GORGEOUS, and there’s a smaller version for people who can carry less stuff (I don’t know who they might be). I fear it’s spoiled me for all other bags… until I meet another fabulous giant carry-all, of course.